Introduction: Vulvodynia is one of the most common cause of female dyspareunia (painful intercourse). Terms such as vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, vestibulodynia and vaginismus (to name just a few), are common medical terms that refer to various types of dyspareunia, but all these conditions share one common functional feature, that of painful sexual intercourse. Pain with sexual intercourse may vary in severity, onset and duration.

The first step in the management of chronic vulvar pain conditions must begin with comprehensive medical screening to eliminate the possibility of infections and dermatological conditions which require medical treatment. In this process of eliminating possible medical causes of pain it is not uncommon for patients to undergo numerous tests and see many doctors and specialists. In part this may be due to the fact that some of these conditions are not well understood and correctly diagnosed.

Patients attending the initial appointment may feel anxious, embarrassed to discuss their condition or even angry because it has taken so long for the diagnosis to be made. At the commencement of therapy approximately half of the appointment time will be dedicated to discussing the mechanisms of chronic pain and explaining different aspects of therapy.

Read stories written by women who have been treated for Vulvodynia.